Our "long time coming", first time ever, very magical trip to WDW!Pictures 1/27!

[blessedmom4]

I NEED an update....PLEASE!!!!

 

[kayrosek]

I NEED an update....PLEASE!!!!

Judy I've been uploading pics to photo bucket today. It's going to be a photo heavy update. I'm excited to share this day! It's one of my favorite days of our trip and it has a lot of little magic to it that you in particular will understand. It's the little things that mean the most but I'm saying too much you'll see what I mean. Until I finish it though here's a pic of Tessa from tonight. It's that time of the year again and Tessa is once again at the Cinderella ball.

I wish I had one of the back of her hair. It's twisted all the way to the side with little pearls in it and dangling rhinestones at the top of the ponytail. If it's still in good when she gets home I'll take a picture then. If you look closely at this pic though you'll see your actually getting two Tessa photo's in one pic.

 

[blessedmom4]

I am so EXCITED!!!! Has it REALLY been a year since the last ball. Tessa (BOTH pics) looks BEAUTIFUL!!! She is growing up and looks so mature! I can't wait to hear how it went at the Ball and to see the latest update!

 

[kayrosek]

I am so EXCITED!!!! Has it REALLY been a year since the last ball. Tessa (BOTH pics) looks BEAUTIFUL!!! She is growing up and looks so mature! I can't wait to hear how it went at the Ball and to see the latest update!

Judy, time moves too fast! It's been almost a year (and I'm still not done with this TR ) Last year they held it a little later, at the end of February, which is why she was able to go, as they have to 14. She does look mature. How scary. I promise to get that update up as soon as possible.

 

[kayrosek]

At the end of our last installment John and I had a discussion ahead of us. John had been trying to do everything despite his normal illnesses and pain and despite his broken foot just so he wouldn't disappoint the kids.
He had reached the end of his reserves. He needed a break it was as simple as that but he still didn't want to disappoint the kids. We had Tusker House booked for breakfast the next morning and John was adament he wouldn't miss that. Cinderellas Royal Table had been booked with the girls in mind while Donald's Safari breakfast had been planned more for Jonnie and he didn't want to miss either of them. He also didn't want the rest of us missing out on anything because he wasn't up to everything.
Once the kids were down for the night John and I talked it out and came up with a plan. We would all head to the AK as planned. Once there we would have our breakfast at Tusker House and then ride a ride or two with John and take him back to the front of the park so he could take the bus back to the resort. I would stay with the kids and do more attractions.
Plan made we headed to bed. The next morning the call from Mickey seemed to come way to early and we found ourselves running late. I called reservations from the bus stop and was informed by a sweet CM that we would be fine and just to get there as soon as we could. Whew that was a relief. We finally reached AK and what do we see?
The AK Christmas Tree

I was in awe! This tree is gorgeous and it made me think of my FIL.

I stopped to gawk for a moment or two but then was off at full speed (whatever full speed means with doddling children and a husband in a wheelchair ) for Tusker House. We got there, checked in and were directed around back for our picture with Donald. Jonnie was very excited as he has quite the duck obsession. There's a story behind that but I will share it later. Jonnie was excited for his picture with The Duck but you can't tell in the photo at all, can you?

We got seated in a room of the buffet area and the server quickley brought us our juice. Is it called Jungle Juice? I don't know but in any case the boys loved it and us girls weren't as fond of it. It reminded me of my grandmother apricot juice she used to jar and was good for a sip or two but then was a bit strong for me. The chef here was wonderful and took me through the buffet showing me all the foods we could or couldn't eat with our allergies and then we were off to get plates. Once we had some food the characters started coming around. Mickey first.

notice Jonnie seemed a little shy. Mickey reached out to touch Jonnie first and Jonnie does better when he initiates contact but he was still happy to see him.

Then Goofy.

I ADORE this picture. Jonnie just looks absolutely enamored with Goofy. Which isn't surprising as Goofy was very funny and playful.
During a lull in character visits Jenna showed of her Minnie figure.

Next update... A parade of epic proportions (at least for this momma) and what happens when a Minnie obsessed child is faced with a female character character who is NOT Minnie Mouse.

 

[blessedmom4]

I SO loved this update and the pictures are beautiful and Priceless!! Jonnie looks as if he is so happy and content and that he is not even scared! He really seems in the moment and the girls are so beautiful! I am happy Tusker HOuse was accommodating and I can't WAIT to read more magic!

 

[kayrosek]

When I left off we were experiencing a lull in the characters and Jenna was showing off her mini figurine. She was also expressing her displeasure about the fact that this character breakfast had a serious lack of Minnie Mouse (other than her little plastic figure that is) . At that point a CM came by with instruments for the parade. Jonnie was adament he was not participating in any parade but the CM gave him an instrument anyway
Look at that smile

The girls had followed the CM so John, Jonnie and I watched from our table.
Here comes the parade

Jonnie watching intently

Look how much fun sister's are having

And...
Wait for it...
Jonie Joins in!!!!!!

I got up and followed preparing for a bit of a melt down after Jonnie realized he wasn't by mom and dad, but no, Jonnie handled it beautifully! Jonnie has come out of his shell a lot over the last few years but in many ways this trip was the beginning of that. Joining in with other kids wasn't something Jonnie did a lot or even as much as he does now so this was momentous and there were happy tears in my eyes watching my little boy. It wasn't the last time that day, but I'm getting a head of myself. After the parade we got another character visit. This time from Daisy.
Tessa was excited and asked for her autograph

Jenna wanted her autograph too but she also wanted to ask where Minnie was

Apparently Daisy didn't appreciate the question because instead of her autograph she wrote "Daisy's better than Minnie!"

Jenna tried to take her book away but Daisy wasn't going for it.

Not at all!

After finally giving Jenna's book back Daisy wanted Jonnies book

Then she wanted her picture taken with Tessa and Jonnie

Jenna wanted in on the picture and Jonnie jokingly told her off

Let's all look at the camera now

That was the end of our breakfast but our day was only beginning. Next up will we ever find a bathroom and how wet can we get (not bathroom related)

 

[blessedmom4]

I am crying thinking of how far Jonnie has come and how Disney has been a huge part of that for him and so many other little ones. It truly is a magical place and the smile on ALL of your childrens faces shows a carefree, fun time...I wish that for you again VERY SOON!!!!

 

[kayrosek]

I thought I would post some more recent pics of the kids.

 

[blessedmom4]

Krystal, I LOVE the pictures of the children, they are growing up so fast! Thank you for sharing!

 

[blessedmom4]

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[stephensmum]

Just want to let you know I have spent yesterday evening & all of this afternoon reading about you & your amazing family. I stumbled on your trippie whilst I was catching up on Judy's (I had stumbled on Judy's a couple of months ago). I have enjoyed reading & look forward to more. I have seen your children grow up literally overnight!!! Tessa is such a beautiful young lady. Thanks for sharing. I will remember you, John & the children in my prayers, as I do Judy, Pete & children.

 

[kayrosek]

Just want to let you know I have spent yesterday evening & all of this afternoon reading about you & your amazing family. I stumbled on your trippie whilst I was catching up on Judy's (I had stumbled on Judy's a couple of months ago). I have enjoyed reading & look forward to more. I have seen your children grow up literally overnight!!! Tessa is such a beautiful young lady. Thanks for sharing. I will remember you, John & the children in my prayers, as I do Judy, Pete & children.

Thanks Stephensmum and welcome. I'm sorry I didn't reply sooner. I really need to check my TR more. I promise I am going to try to finish my TR and thank you so much for your prayers. They are appreciated.

 

[kayrosek]

So I promised Judy some pics of my sweet boys new haircut and here they are.
Front view

Side View

and Jonnie insisted I take a back view too

Oh and he also insisted I take the pic next to his picture on the wall so once again your getting a few pics in one.

 

[kayrosek]

Okay I'm in a picture posting mood.
I think I've mentioned before that we homeschool both girls. Jonnie goes to a public school now but I think we will change that when he reach's 6th grade. Anyway the homeschool association we belong to hosts lots of events for kids 13 and older including a PROM which of course thrilled my girls, especially Jenna, cuz she was old enough to go too. I figured it sounded like fun, especially since I got to go too. Here's a few pics.I have another one of Tess and her date but it's not loaded to photobucket so I'll have to post it later.
Tessa and Jenna

 

[blessedmom4]

Krystal,
I LOVE the new pics, thanks for posting. Jonnie is rocking his new look and you can tell he loves it! The girls are SO grown up and Beautiful it is easy to see where they got their looks Mom!!

 

[kayrosek]

Krystal,
I LOVE the new pics, thanks for posting. Jonnie is rocking his new look and you can tell he loves it! The girls are SO grown up and Beautiful it is easy to see where they got their looks Mom!!

Thanks Judy. Jonnie has been waiting to get this hair cut. The school doesn't allow it so he had to wait for summer. Now he wants me to dye it a Koolaid color. The girls are growing up fast and you are so sweet.

 

[blessedmom4]

Thanks Judy. Jonnie has been waiting to get this hair cut. The school doesn't allow it so he had to wait for summer. Now he wants me to dye it a Koolaid color. The girls are growing up fast and you are so sweet.

I just wanted to say:

I hope you enjoyed a RELAXING Memorial Day weekend!

I WILL be here when you have time to finish your TR. So....did Jonnie get his hair dyed??? What color did he pick?
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[kayrosek]

I just wanted to say:

I hope you enjoyed a RELAXING Memorial Day weekend!

I WILL be here when you have time to finish your TR. So....did Jonnie get his hair dyed??? What color did he pick?
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Judy, thanks for stopping by. No hair dye yet. He really want's hot pink but dad is drawing the line at a pink Mohawk on his son so now he is thinking cherry red or maybe half red, half yellow if we can find a bright, bright yellow. A few of my friends think we are crazy to let them do stuff like this (Jenna's hair is shaved half way up underneath) but I figure hair will grow back. In Jonnie's case allowing him this freedom with his hair (he had as crazy a hair do during school as the school would allow) has really helped with his self confidence which is so, so much more important than hair is. Our Memorial Day weekend was a bit crazy, partly due to me having a photo shoot I had to do on Sunday, and partly due to John getting a mild case of food poisoning but for the most part it was good. Mostly because I was reminded of how overwhelmingly grateful I am for the blessings in my life. There were moments this weekend when it really hit me. Like when my little boy leaned up against me all sweaty and out of breath after playing football at a picnic with our friends and I breathed in the smell of sweaty boy and thought how grateful I was to have that opportunity. When Jonnie was little there were times when even the doctors thought there was no way he'd make it to this age and with his recent problems all that has really came back to me hard. I know you understand what I mean. So sitting there at a picnic with my little boy felt exactly like the miracle it is and it was just wonderful. I had moments like that with my husband too. He's the only one still alive from his squad(training accident) and another one of his disabilities almost took him from me in 2004 (the Doctors were amazed he made it)and it really hit me this weekend how blessed I am to have him here. Even during the hard times, taking care of him when he's sick, I know there are 19 families (well actually many, many more than that) that would trade me places in a second and I do my very best to never take that for granted. This weekend was just a good reminder. How was your weekend? I hope to be back to share some good news soon. I think it will be new to you as I don't think I shared it on your TR.

 

[blessedmom4]

In my prayers!